Van Gaal has had mixed results in his opening eight games as United manager.

But with a new coach and six new players coming in over the summer, Carrick insists it was always going to take time to get things right.

He added: “We are still learning each other’s games because it is a pretty new squad with new signings and a new manager. It is progressing in the right way, we feel we are improving all the time.

“We are getting better and there are good signs to show that if we stick at it then there are good times to come. We go into every match positive and we have certainly got the firepower to cause a lot of teams problems.”

Carrick’s return to the squad has come just in time with games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal on the horizon.

The midfielder admits the ankle ligament injury he suffered during pre-season was a ‘nightmare’ because he didn’t get an early chance to impress Van Gaal.

Carrick said: “It’s your worst nightmare as a footballer to be out for so long and this is the longest I have ever been out.

“I have never really had to deal with big injuries before, so this was something new for me.

“The timing of the new manager coming in and me getting injured on that first day wasn’t ideal, but that is something that I have got over.”